Wild Edge Inc.

10/30/2025

Hunting season has changed pace as my boys grow older and become more and more obsessed with the outdoors. I see myself in them . I see the hunger for learning in their questions, their focus and determination. The addiction to the tranquility of the woods. I am training woodsmen. And I am grateful!

10/30/2025

Throw back to Saskatchewan 2016!

2,200 Miles to Savage Freedom on a waterfowl hunting trip of a lifetime with the Wild Edge Crew and a couple old guys!

10/18/2025

Early morning fall paddles!

10/15/2025

My favorite huntin buddies!

09/18/2025

Enter BerserkerBlowout25 at checkout for 35% off the Berserker Saddle!

09/18/2025

History of Wild Edge’s Saddle Hunting Innovations

Early Partnership with Aero Hunter – The Birth of Y***k

Wild Edge Inc., led by founder Andrew Walter, entered the saddle hunting arena after first gaining fame with its SteppLadder climbing system – a product hugely popular among saddle hunters. As an avid saddle hunter himself, Walter recognized the need for a high-quality tree saddle to complement his climbing steps. In 2019, Wild Edge formed an early partnership with Aero Hunter (a well-known tree saddle maker) to co-develop a new saddle called the Y***k. This collaboration combined Wild Edge’s user-driven design ideas with Aero Hunter’s manufacturing experience. The Y***k was Wild Edge’s first saddle, intended to incorporate features saddle hunters had been asking for, such as a breathable mesh option for hot climates and a comfortable, adjustable seat. In fact, hunters on the SaddleHunter forum eagerly anticipated the Y***k – some specifically “looking forward to the mesh offering” for better airflow.

Wild Edge also aimed to avoid the lengthy pre-order backorders common with other brands; they promised the Y***k would be in-stock at launch (no paid pre-orders), even holding a small lottery for early units. This early partnership and the Y***k project marked Wild Edge’s first major step into saddle design, blending Aero Hunter’s proven concepts with Walter’s vision for improvements.

Design Evolution and Key Milestones

The Y***k saddle introduced several key design features that set the stage for Wild Edge’s saddle evolution. It was built by Aero Hunter for Wild Edge and essentially represented an enhanced version of Aero’s earlier models. For example, the Y***k included large, structured D-shaped lineman’s loops (attachment points) to make hooking up one’s lineman rope easier and more secure. This was a direct improvement over the smaller fabric loops on older saddles like the Aero Hunter Kestrel, which could be hard to clip into. The Y***k also featured redesigned gear attachment loops along the waist belt, allowing hunters to hang pouches and accessories more conveniently. Users noticed they could position dump pouches further forward on the Y***k, instead of them sliding toward the back as on the Kestrel.

Most notably, the Y***k’s seat was adjustable via a pleated design, meaning the saddle could be worn in a compact mode for walking and then expanded (“opened up”) for additional comfort during longer sits. This two-panel style seat was intended to stay closed when not in use – addressing a flaw hunters saw in Aero Hunter’s Flex model, which tended to open up on its own and wouldn’t stay closed. By listening to community feedback, Wild Edge built the Y***k to be simple and effective: “designed for simplicity without unnecessary bells and whistles” as one early user observed. Each of these milestones – from larger lineman loops to the innovative pleated seat – would later inform Wild Edge’s flagship saddle design.

Despite excitement for the Y***k, getting it into hunters’ hands proved challenging. Production delays hit in fall 2019 due to a “hiccup” in the Aero Hunter partnership. Wild Edge held off on broad release until inventory was ready, but the wait dragged on. By early 2020, only a small batch of around 25 Y***k saddles had ever been produced, most of which went to early lottery winners or demos. The limited availability frustrated many eager customers and threatened to derail Wild Edge’s momentum in the saddle market. It truly had been, in one insider’s words, “a rocky road trying to get into the saddle market” for the Wild Edge team. Ultimately, the initial Aero Hunter partnership fell apart before full-scale Y***k production could ramp up – a disappointed forum member noted he had “waited for its original release from the AeroHunter production partnership” only to see the plan fizzle out. This setback, while discouraging, became a turning point that spurred Wild Edge to refine its design and seek a new path forward.

From Setback to the Berserker Saddle Launch
After ironing out the issues with the Aero Hunter venture, Andrew Walter and Wild Edge regrouped and doubled down on creating an even better saddle. A Wild Edge representative hinted in April 2020 that “something better is coming” and that the previous Y***k run was done. Behind the scenes, Wild Edge forged a new manufacturing partnership – this time with Kong USA, a respected climbing and safety gear company. By leveraging Kong’s expertise in climbing harness construction, Wild Edge could ensure their next saddle met stringent safety standards and quality control. In fact, the new design underwent a full battery of safety and load tests conducted by Kong to certify its strength. The result of this redevelopment was The Berserker saddle, which officially launched in 2021 as Wild Edge’s next-generation tree saddle (named after the ferocious Viking warriors who would “go berserk,” fitting for its wild hunting intent).
The Berserker was the culmination of lessons learned from the Y***k project and the broader saddle-hunting community. It carried forward the Y***k’s best ideas and introduced further improvements. By the time of its release, demand was high – one hunter noted Wild Edge “released the Berserker last year” (2021) and it was quickly gaining positive word-of-mouth. The Berserker was no longer limited by production bottlenecks; it was available for purchase directly, including at hunting shows where Wild Edge sold them at special launch prices. Andrew Walter’s persistence had paid off – Wild Edge went from a stalled collaboration to successfully bringing their own saddle to market. The journey from Y***k to Berserker is a story of iterating on design, overcoming manufacturing hurdles, and ultimately delivering a saddle that met the needs of modern saddle hunters.
Wild Edge’s Innovative Approach to Saddle Hunting
Wild Edge’s journey from the SteppLadder to the Berserker saddle showcases the company’s commitment to innovation in saddle hunting. Andrew Walter has always emphasized mobility and simplicity in hunting – he often says, “slow is smooth, smooth is fast,” when describing his mobile hunting technique. That philosophy is evident in Wild Edge’s saddle development. Rather than rushing a product to market, Walter partnered with experienced designers and listened to extensive feedback from the saddle hunting community. The early collaboration with Aero Hunter gave Wild Edge a foundation in proven saddle design, while also revealing the pain points (like slow fulfillment and design quirks) that needed improvement. Wild Edge tackled those issues head-on by opting for a new manufacturing partner (Kong) that could deliver both quality and scale, and by refining the saddle’s features to truly meet hunters’ needs.

A hallmark of Wild Edge’s approach is blending new ideas with field-tested concepts. For instance, Walter personally tested popular saddles like Tethrd’s Mantis and noted their advantages – he praised the Mantis for being light with a larger seat that “is comfortable.” Insights like these informed the design choices in the Berserker, ensuring it wasn’t just a copy of existing models but an evolution. Each improvement on the Berserker directly addresses a shortcoming in previous gear: the adjustable seat tackles comfort on all-day hunts, the organized MOLLE layout addresses gear accessibility, and the D-ring lineman loops improve ease of use and safety.

In summary, Andrew Walter and Wild Edge Inc. have carved out a notable history in saddle hunting by staying true to a hunter-centric design process. From the initial Aero Hunter partnership and the Y***k’s conception to the refined and robust Berserker saddle, each step was guided by a desire to innovate and improve upon the status quo. The Berserker’s successful debut – backed by climbing-grade materials, thoughtful features, and real-world testing – highlights how Wild Edge has advanced saddle hunting gear to new levels of comfort and functionality. Walter’s team took the best aspects of existing saddles and made them better, while also introducing original solutions of their own. This relentless improvement cycle led to a saddle that not only honors the early pioneers of saddle hunting but also pushes the category forward. Wild Edge’s journey demonstrates how a small company’s passion for hunting and willingness to adapt can yield big innovations in outdoor equipment, ultimately giving saddle hunters a safer, more comfortable, and more effective way to stay mobile in the treetops.

09/04/2025

I absolutely love hearing from my customers! It’s what keeps me going as I hustle in my shop day to day. It’s a constant reminder of what keeps me grounded as a company in an industry that my true beliefs do not align with. It’s messages like this that I cherish.
LIVE WILD!

08/21/2025

Cool crisp November air will be here before you know it. Now is the time to dial in your gear, your weapon system and most importantly your head. Train as you hunt. And above all become a true woodsman.

07/23/2025

Everything you need to hunt elevated and nothing you don’t!

06/24/2025

History of Wild Edge’s Saddle Hunting Innovations

Early Partnership with Aero Hunter – The Birth of Y***k
Wild Edge Inc., led by founder Andrew Walter, entered the saddle hunting arena after first gaining fame with its SteppLadder climbing system – a product hugely popular among saddle hunters. As an avid saddle hunter himself, Walter recognized the need for a high-quality tree saddle to complement his climbing steps. In 2019, Wild Edge formed an early partnership with Aero Hunter (a well-known tree saddle maker) to co-develop a new saddle called the Y***k. This collaboration combined Wild Edge’s user-driven design ideas with Aero Hunter’s manufacturing experience. The Y***k was Wild Edge’s first saddle, intended to incorporate features saddle hunters had been asking for, such as a breathable mesh option for hot climates and a comfortable, adjustable seat. In fact, hunters on the SaddleHunter forum eagerly anticipated the Y***k – some specifically “looking forward to the mesh offering” for better airflow.

Wild Edge also aimed to avoid the lengthy pre-order backorders common with other brands; they promised the Y***k would be in-stock at launch (no paid pre-orders), even holding a small lottery for early units. This early partnership and the Y***k project marked Wild Edge’s first major step into saddle design, blending Aero Hunter’s proven concepts with Walter’s vision for improvements.

Design Evolution and Key Milestones
The Y***k saddle introduced several key design features that set the stage for Wild Edge’s saddle evolution. It was built by Aero Hunter for Wild Edge and essentially represented an enhanced version of Aero’s earlier models. For example, the Y***k included large, structured D-shaped lineman’s loops (attachment points) to make hooking up one’s lineman rope easier and more secure. This was a direct improvement over the smaller fabric loops on older saddles like the Aero Hunter Kestrel, which could be hard to clip into. The Y***k also featured redesigned gear attachment loops along the waist belt, allowing hunters to hang pouches and accessories more conveniently. Users noticed they could position dump pouches further forward on the Y***k, instead of them sliding toward the back as on the Kestrel.

Most notably, the Y***k’s seat was adjustable via a pleated design, meaning the saddle could be worn in a compact mode for walking and then expanded (“opened up”) for additional comfort during longer sits. This two-panel style seat was intended to stay closed when not in use – addressing a flaw hunters saw in Aero Hunter’s Flex model, which tended to open up on its own and wouldn’t stay closed. By listening to community feedback, Wild Edge built the Y***k to be simple and effective: “designed for simplicity without unnecessary bells and whistles” as one early user observed. Each of these milestones – from larger lineman loops to the innovative pleated seat – would later inform Wild Edge’s flagship saddle design.

Despite excitement for the Y***k, getting it into hunters’ hands proved challenging. Production delays hit in fall 2019 due to a “hiccup” in the Aero Hunter partnership. Wild Edge held off on broad release until inventory was ready, but the wait dragged on. By early 2020, only a small batch of around 25 Y***k saddles had ever been produced, most of which went to early lottery winners or demos. The limited availability frustrated many eager customers and threatened to derail Wild Edge’s momentum in the saddle market. It truly had been, in one insider’s words, “a rocky road trying to get into the saddle market” for the Wild Edge team. Ultimately, the initial Aero Hunter partnership fell apart before full-scale Y***k production could ramp up – a disappointed forum member noted he had “waited for its original release from the AeroHunter production partnership” only to see the plan fizzle out. This setback, while discouraging, became a turning point that spurred Wild Edge to refine its design and seek a new path forward.

From Setback to the Berserker Saddle Launch
After ironing out the issues with the Aero Hunter venture, Andrew Walter and Wild Edge regrouped and doubled down on creating an even better saddle. A Wild Edge representative hinted in April 2020 that “something better is coming” and that the previous Y***k run was done. Behind the scenes, Wild Edge forged a new manufacturing partnership – this time with Kong USA, a respected climbing and safety gear company. By leveraging Kong’s expertise in climbing harness construction, Wild Edge could ensure their next saddle met stringent safety standards and quality control. In fact, the new design underwent a full battery of safety and load tests conducted by Kong to certify its strength. The result of this redevelopment was The Berserker saddle, which officially launched in 2021 as Wild Edge’s next-generation tree saddle (named after the ferocious Viking warriors who would “go berserk,” fitting for its wild hunting intent).
The Berserker was the culmination of lessons learned from the Y***k project and the broader saddle-hunting community. It carried forward the Y***k’s best ideas and introduced further improvements. By the time of its release, demand was high – one hunter noted Wild Edge “released the Berserker last year” (2021) and it was quickly gaining positive word-of-mouth. The Berserker was no longer limited by production bottlenecks; it was available for purchase directly, including at hunting shows where Wild Edge sold them at special launch prices. Andrew Walter’s persistence had paid off – Wild Edge went from a stalled collaboration to successfully bringing their own saddle to market. The journey from Y***k to Berserker is a story of iterating on design, overcoming manufacturing hurdles, and ultimately delivering a saddle that met the needs of modern saddle hunters.
Wild Edge’s Innovative Approach to Saddle Hunting
Wild Edge’s journey from the SteppLadder to the Berserker saddle showcases the company’s commitment to innovation in saddle hunting. Andrew Walter has always emphasized mobility and simplicity in hunting – he often says, “slow is smooth, smooth is fast,” when describing his mobile hunting technique. That philosophy is evident in Wild Edge’s saddle development. Rather than rushing a product to market, Walter partnered with experienced designers and listened to extensive feedback from the saddle hunting community. The early collaboration with Aero Hunter gave Wild Edge a foundation in proven saddle design, while also revealing the pain points (like slow fulfillment and design quirks) that needed improvement. Wild Edge tackled those issues head-on by opting for a new manufacturing partner (Kong) that could deliver both quality and scale, and by refining the saddle’s features to truly meet hunters’ needs.
A hallmark of Wild Edge’s approach is blending new ideas with field-tested concepts. For instance, Walter personally tested popular saddles like Tethrd’s Mantis and noted their advantages – he praised the Mantis for being light with a larger seat that “is comfortable.” Insights like these informed the design choices in the Berserker, ensuring it wasn’t just a copy of existing models but an evolution. Each improvement on the Berserker directly addresses a shortcoming in previous gear: the adjustable seat tackles comfort on all-day hunts, the organized MOLLE layout addresses gear accessibility, and the D-ring lineman loops improve ease of use and safety.

In summary, Andrew Walter and Wild Edge Inc. have carved out a notable history in saddle hunting by staying true to a hunter-centric design process. From the initial Aero Hunter partnership and the Y***k’s conception to the refined and robust Berserker saddle, each step was guided by a desire to innovate and improve upon the status quo. The Berserker’s successful debut – backed by climbing-grade materials, thoughtful features, and real-world testing – highlights how Wild Edge has advanced saddle hunting gear to new levels of comfort and functionality. Walter’s team took the best aspects of existing saddles and made them better, while also introducing original solutions of their own. This relentless improvement cycle led to a saddle that not only honors the early pioneers of saddle hunting but also pushes the category forward. Wild Edge’s journey demonstrates how a small company’s passion for hunting and willingness to adapt can yield big innovations in outdoor equipment, ultimately giving saddle hunters a safer, more comfortable, and more effective way to stay mobile in the treetops.
Aero Hunter. (n.d.). Kestrel saddle hunting system. Aero Hunter. Retrieved from https://aerohunter.us
Bowhunting.com. (2021). Wild Edge Berserker saddle review. Bowhunting.com. Retrieved from https://www.bowhunting.com
SaddleHunter Forum. (2019). Y***k saddle discussion thread. SaddleHunter.com. Retrieved from https://www.saddlehunter.com/community
SaddleHunter Forum. (2021). Wild Edge Berserker saddle launch discussion. SaddleHunter.com. Retrieved from https://www.saddlehunter.com/community
Tethrd Nation. (2020). Mantis vs. Berserker: How do they compare?. Tethrd Nation Blog. Retrieved from https://tethrdnation.com
Wild Edge Inc. (2021). The Berserker saddle: A new generation of comfort and performance. Wild Edge Inc. Retrieved from https://www.wildedgeinc.com
Wild Edge Inc. (2022). SteppLadder climbing system – The original saddle hunting step. Wild Edge Inc. Retrieved from https://www.wildedgeinc.com
Wild Edge Inc. (2023). Why saddle hunting? The evolution of the Berserker saddle. Wild Edge Inc. Retrieved from https://www.wildedgeinc.com

American-made MoBILe hunting gear And the home of the original steppladder Climbing system.Everything you need to hunt elevated and nothing you don’t. wild edge inc. Shop Now Meet the worlds most versatile HUNTING system Simple. Silent. Secure. Shop Wild Edge The original SteppladderOne of the mos...

06/03/2025

Why American-Made Gear Just Makes More Sense

Proudly American-Made — Built Right Here in Connecticut

At Wild Edge Inc, we don’t just design gear for the outdoors — we build it ourselves, right here in Connecticut. While many competitors rely on overseas factories and imported materials, every step of our process happens on American soil. That’s more than just a badge of honor — it’s a real advantage for our customers.

With rising tariffs on imported goods, companies that manufacture overseas are facing higher costs and longer wait times. At Wild Edge Inc, we’re insulated from those added expenses, which means we can keep our pricing competitive without cutting corners. You get top-tier, American-made quality, with no hidden fees and no overseas delays.

When you buy from Wild Edge, you’re supporting local craftsmanship, American jobs, and a company that stands by its gear — because we build it ourselves.

Quality. Speed. Integrity. That’s the Wild Edge way.
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